The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the Central government over collecting toll tax for using the National Highways despite some roads being in a very bad shape.

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“Why should people pay the toll? Should they pay toll for bad roads? If the roads are bad, it is because of lack of will and policy of the government. They should do something. If concessionaires are not repairing the roads, then also the government should make sure the work is done,” observed a bench led by Justice T S Thakur.

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Taking strong exception to the condition of roads along various National Highways, the bench said that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways needed to justify the imposition of toll tax by making sure the roads were in good condition.

“Can you ask people to pay money for bad roads? You should first see that roads can provide convenient travel and then only toll tax can be levied,” said the bench.